Lent 2025 Day 9: Fri 14 Mar
Genesis 45:1-11
45 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, ‘Make everyone leave my presence!’ So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still living?’ But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.’ When they had done so, he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no ploughing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 ‘So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, “This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me – you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.”
Time has passed, and Joseph is out of prison. While in prison he’d risen to be the jailer’s trusted right-hand man. Even in prison God was there with Joseph. Now Joseph was not the only dreamer. Fellow-prisoners came to him with their dreams. He interpreted them fearlessly, telling them the absolute truth, even though for one prisoner the dream foretold his own death.
And now he is brought out of prison to interpret the troubling dreams Pharaoh has had. Joseph never claimed the skill of interpretation for himself – he always acknowledged that God gave him the interpretation. And now Joseph could announce that both bounty and famine would come to Egypt.
Pharaoh placed him as administrator in the kingdom of Egypt. Joseph saw to it that the nation was prepared in the time of plenty for the coming famine. Egypt alone of all the nations was prepared.
Joseph’s brothers had come to Egypt to buy corn. They knew nothing of the true identity of this high-ranking official, even better-dressed than he’d ever been in that coat, before whom they quaked. The tables were turned. Did he order them to be punished? Did he send them packing? Did he get his revenge for their betrayal? No. He was overjoyed to see them, just like the father whose prodigal son had returned.
Joseph knew by this time that God had been with him throughout, and that what had happened to him was all part of God’s plan for him. God had brought him to this place, and God had brought his brothers back to him.
Did God prepare the famine in order to show his power and provision, or did he prepare Joseph to be in charge of handling the foretold natural events?
After Joseph explained God’s plan to his brothers, did that let them off the hook?
Father God, there may be a broken relationship in my life, or one between people I love. I pray that You act to bring admission, repentance, healing and reconciliation to it. Amen.
34:24 Erkenne mich, mein Hüter (Choral)
15. Chorale
Acknowledge me, my Guardian,
my Shepherd, take me in!
From you, source of all goodness,
has much good come to me.
Your mouth has nourished me
with milk and sweet sustenance;
your spirit has lavished upon me
much heavenly joy.
16. Evangelist Peter answered, however, and said to him:
Peter Even though everyone will be angry at you, yet I will never be angry.
Evangelist Jesus said to him:
Jesus Truly, I say to you: tonight, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.
Evangelist Peter said to him:
Peter Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.
Evangelist All the other disciples also said the same.
Ends at 36:40
Paul